Technical Foundations Flashcards

Which statistical measure indicates the proportion of test-takers who answered an item correctly?

Answer: Difficulty index (p-value)

The difficulty index (p-value) is the proportion of examinees who answer an item correctly, ranging from 0.0 to 1.0.

In classical test theory, an examinee's observed score equals their true score plus which component?

Answer: Measurement error

Classical test theory defines observed score as the sum of a person's true score and random measurement error.

Which CEFR level describes a 'Basic User' who can understand and use familiar everyday expressions?

Answer: A1

A1 is the lowest CEFR level, describing beginners who can use basic phrases and introduce themselves.

What term describes the degree to which a test measures what it is intended to measure?

Answer: Validity

Validity refers to the extent to which a test accurately measures the construct or skill it purports to assess.

A test blueprint that maps items to learning objectives is also known as a:

Answer: Table of specifications

A table of specifications (TOS) is a grid that aligns test items with content areas and cognitive levels to ensure adequate coverage.

Which type of validity evidence is gathered by correlating a new test with an existing, established test measuring the same construct?

Answer: Concurrent criterion validity

Concurrent criterion validity is established when a new test's scores correlate strongly with scores from an already-accepted measure administered at the same time.

In language testing, 'washback' refers to the effect of a test on:

Answer: Teaching and learning practices

Washback (or backwash) describes how a test influences the instructional practices and learning behaviors that precede it.